21 Days of Prayer

2017 gave me some joys, lessons, hurt, and a tidbit of fun. 2018 has started off rather rocky, but “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.” Psalm 121:1-2. That means that I’ll be okay. I try my best to be an optimistic and hopeful person. I make so many mistakes and many times I just want to throw in all of my towels. However, with all of that small chatter out of the way, Happy New Year Everyone! Now, I do have a question for you.

Will you join me? Do you need a reset already from even Jan 1? I’m embarking on a reset today with thousands of others that are as hopeful and as optimistic as I am. I’m talking about the 21 days of prayer with the Church of The Highlands in Alabama. #COTH is offering you and me a chance to reset again through prayer and optional fasting. I’m one day behind, but that’s okay! There will be two options for you to join in for gathered prayer. The first option will be at a local campus at 6 a.m. Monday-Friday and on Saturday at 9 a.m. If you’re like me and know for a fact that attending the campus is just not an option, at 6 a.m., you can also stream the prayer service from your location live. You have the option to watch or listen. You can also playback that day’s prayer service anytime during that day. Isn’t that wonderful and no guilt if you can’t physically attend?

Now, I know what some of you are thinking; neither of these times will work for me. That’s perfectly okay! 21 days of prayer can be done in the privacy of your own home or car. The goal is to sit alone with God uninterrupted and expectant. Each day as you connect with God, read scriptures that speak to your need or spirit. Ask for help from the holy spirit on what you should read. The Bible app found in the Google Play Store and Apple Store offers several 21-day reading plans. You can use these as a guide or foundation for your 21 days of prayer. Pastor Chris Hodges has given us 4 tips that we can use when while wholeheartedly seeking God and his provisions through our 21 days of prayer. These are my interpretations of those tips.

Express gratitude to God. “Praise him and show thanksgiving from your heart”

Show commitment to God. “Stay connected to God often”

Give yourself to God. “Give your total life to him”

Express your dependence on God. “Let him know that you need him…tell him your needs.”

The optional fast is not required but may bring more clarity to what you are praying for or about. Who can’t use fewer distractions whether it’s bad food, social media, or foolish television shows? I have found that in the past when I have paired them both together I came out feeling empowered and ready to defeat all the strongholds in my life. I am choosing to fast, but I will not share that in this post. I hope that you will join me in 21 days of prayer and I hope that you will be encouraged during this reset. Although the actual 21 days of prayer begin on Jan 7, you can always jump in and just continue a few days after everyone else. Never believe that it’s too late, even if it’s day 10. Let’s look forward to our awesome future and great new year!